A time-honored tradition of the NFL offseason is connecting the dots. Scheme fits. Player-coach connections. Football bloodlines.

That’s why no one was surprised when the Steelers drafted Washington linebacker Carson Bruener, the son of former Pittsburgh tight end and current scout Mark Bruener, in the 2025 NFL Draft.

However, one past connection that flew under the radar was that of free agent cornerback Darius Slay and current Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

“I’ll fit well (in the Steelers defense) because TA was my (defensive coordinator) in Detroit,” said Slay, who signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh this offseason, on The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny June 19.

Slay spent the first seven years of his decorated career with the Detroit Lions. Austin was his defensive coordinator for four of them, 2014-2017. As Slay noted in the interview, the Lions were the NFL’s second-best defense in terms of points and yards in Austin’s first season.

In Austin’s last season as the Lions’ coordinator, Slay earned a first-team All-Pro nod, as well as his first of six Pro Bowls.

“We were together four or five years. I got an All-Pro out of that. A couple Pro Bowls. He kinda groomed me into the player I am today,” said Slay.

Austin joined the Steelers as a senior defensive assistant and secondary coach in 2019, where he, as well as trade acquisition Minkah Fitzpatrick, were credited with turning a struggling Steelers secondary around. Austin was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2022.

“I’m reuniting with him … eight years later. It’s a great opportunity, man,” said Slay.

Slay has another Steelers connection. In his introductory press conference with the team, he mentioned that Pittsburgh great Rod Woodson was his mentor early in his NFL career. The two had the same agent, and Slay said he stayed at Woodson’s house for a month and a half after he was drafted, learning about football.

In his interview with Kimes, Slay added that Austin and head coach Mike Tomlin still believe he can “come in here and be effective.”

“I was like, this is a team I need to be a part of.”